Railroads Want To Speed Up Trains But Some Cities Oppose It

November 7, 1985|By Mike McKee of The Sentinel Staff

DAYTONA BEACH — Florida East Coast Railway is trying to increase the speed of its trains traveling through urban areas along Florida's coast, but some cities are fighting the proposal on the grounds of safety.

The St. Augustine railroad asked the state Department of Transportation for increased speeds nearly two years ago, but in hearings last year government officials said the idea would endanger residents.

In letters to city leaders, railroad officials, who want their trains to go at least 50 mph through most urban areas, have cut their requests by at least five miles per hour. Trains now travel through most cities at 30 to 35 mph.

But most city officials oppose increased speeds. Most fear more pedestrians or drivers being killed by fast-moving trains or an increased possibility of derailments.

''You might end up with an awkward situation -- clearing an intersection the hard way,'' said Altamonte Springs City Manager Phil Penland. His community is dealing with a similar request from Seaboard System Railroad in Jacksonville. Officials for Seaboard have sought widespread changes, including a speed increase from 25 to 35 mph in Orlando and an increase from 45 to 79 mph in Pierson in western Volusia County.

John Alderson, assistant general solicitor for Seaboard, and Paul Risner, attorney for Florida East Coast Railway, say they are willing to negotiate with cities.

''No matter how much it saved, if it created more danger to the public, we wouldn't have asked it,'' Risner said. He said the railroad estimates the higher speed could save about $1.5 million per year, but safety remains the company's foremost concern.

Some officials, such as those in Daytona Beach, are not convinced and intend to press for a public hearing. Officials in Bunnell in Flagler County conducted a hearing on Tuesday and expect an answer from Florida Transportation Secretary Thomas E. Drawdy within 30 days. The railroad had requested its trains be permitted to travel 50 mph through Bunnell, but state officials recommended 45 mph.

Melbourne City Manager Samuel Halter said Wednesday his city initially opposed a speed of 50 mph speed, but changed positions after the state gave its blessing to the proposal in a preliminary hearing in January. Trains cannot go faster than 25 mph in Melbourne, but Halter said the neighboring cities of Cocoa and Rockledge had experienced no problems with the recommended speed.

Alderson, who said one line of the railroad's system runs from Jacksonville to Polk County, and Risner, whose company has lines from Jacksonville to Miami, said faster train speeds are possible because railways have vastly improved their road crossings and signals. There is less danger, they said.

But some city officials are not convinced. As an example, some officials said the state and railways are pushing for legislation that would force cities to maintain the rail companies' new signals and crossings at taxpayers' expense.